This Chapter is pretty long. Sorry. Thank you for all the reviews.WARNING: Rated M

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

R&R

"Ray!" I exclaimed, my voice loud over the steady downpour of rain. Was I seeing things?

The dimpled grin stretched impossibly farther. "Jessy!"

My heart stuttered for a moment. It was Ray's voice! I wasn't seeing things.

"Oh, my God Ray how-"

"Jesus, Jessy. When did you-"

"And your Avatar looks just like yo-"

"-but I can't believe you're still-"

"Alive?"

"Yes!"

We both closed the distance between us in an epic hug.

"I thought you were dead Jessy. We all did. And Helen was just beside herself."

I pulled back. "I'm fine Ray," I assured. "I just can't believe you're here right now!" Millions of questions flitted through my mind. "What happened? You look like shit."

A breif homourous grin flickered across his face but then he distractedly glanced over my shoulder.

"I'd love to tell you everything Jess, but could you tell you friend over there to stop pointing that arrow at my head. He is your friend right?"

"Oh!" I'd forgotten about Gar'han. He was no doubt confused by our fast spoken English. I turned around to see Gar'han still crouched with the bow stretched, his entire body ridged. "Gar'han! I know him. He isn't going to hurt anybody." I explained in Na'vi. I looked back at Ray, "Right?" He gave a quick nod and I turned back to Gar'han and smiled reassuringly.

He slowly, and reluctantly, lowered his weapon with his eyes still on Ray.

"He's my friend." I explained to Ray. "I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him. We heard gun shots earlier. Was that you?"

Ray nodded and motion to two dead viper wolf carcasses behind him. "It's dangerous out here. I'm surprised I've lasted this long. If I get this Avatar killed, I'll have to hear all kinds of shit from the base."

I nodded in agreement. Avatars were extremely expensive. "Why are you out here alone? Didn't you come in a group?"

"I was originally, but we were separated...", Ray blinked a few times as if dazed out. "Shit," Suddenly his eyes rolled back. At first I thought he was rolling his eyes at something until he collapsed on the ground.

I blinked in surprise. Glitch maybe?

I stooped down to study his face. The body was breathing. But I knew that without a driver the Avatar was an empty vessel. The sound of steady footsteps warned me that Gar'han was approaching. I peeled back one eyelid just in case. No response.

"Is he dead?" Gar'han asked, standing behind my shoulder.

I shook my head. "He's fine." I un-clipped the communicator from around his neck. After studying it a moment, I realised it was completely water logged. I tossed the useless thing to the ground.

"He doesn't look fine."

"The body is breathing," I pointed out.

"The body?"

"Yes, the body. This isn't..He.." I trailed off trying to think of a proper way to explain how an avatar worked to someone from such a neolithic up bringing. "This is just a body." I began. I could see a confused look cross Gar'han's face. "This body is just something the humans created. It's a hybrid between a human and a Na'vi. Somewhere far away, a human is controlling it."

Gar'han immediately stiffened. "So a Tawtute is in that body?"

I knew he wouldn't be comfortable with this. In fact I wouldn't have been surprised if the moment I'd said he was human, he had driven a poisoned dagger through Ray's Avatar's chest.

"Yes, basically." I said cautiously. "The human goes to sleep and enters this body."

Gar'han's face morphed into disgust as he pulled further away. "So he's a..a uniltìranyu. A dreamwalker?"

"Basicaly," I repeated.

The rain began to let up. There were a few moments of silence and I knew what Gar'han was thinking; Leave it. Lets go.But I couldn't just leave Ray's Avatar out here. Not only would it leave the body defenseless but it was the only form of communication I would have with Ray and the others.

"We shoul-"

"We can't leave it here,"I interjected before he had a chance to say it.

"We only have one Pa'li," Gar'han pointed out.

"We can use mine!" I exclaimed as the idea came to me. When a Na'vi connected with an animal, it was never far behind which meant Helen (my direhorse) couldn't be to far away.

"No!" Gar'ahn said, as if the idea was completely ludicrous, "Your'e in no condition to ride your Pa'li."

"I can handle it," I insisted. Before he could object once again I let out a high call for my direhorse. Within moments, the sound of steady hooves was approaching.

Gar'han glared at me.

I smiled back.

I wondered if we could ever go a day without arguing.

As soon as Helen came to my side I bent down in an effort to raise Ray's body. The task wasn't so easy with a wounded arm and the mudd under neath my feet only made it more difficult. Finally after a few unsuccessful more tries, I let out an exasperated huff. "Gar'han, would you pleaaaaase help me raise this body onto the horse?"

"Kahe," no he said crossing his arms.

"Rutxe?" I whined.

"Kahe,"

Hadn't we done this before? Only I was in his position and he was in mine.

I tried for a different approach. "If you don't help me then I'll do it myself. I'll probably end up hurting myself worse while doing it but that will be your fault." After all, he did care about me right?

Just to prove my point, I bent down and continued my pitiful attempt to lift the Avatar onto the horse. "Oww, my pxun(arm)!" I squeaked, for good measure.

"Ok, Jessy, ftang!Stop." He snapped, shuffling me out of the way and bending down to pull the Avatar over his shoulder. He lifted the Avatar with ease and hoisted it over the direhorse's back.

He turned to me with a glare. "Why are you smiling?" Because I have you wrapped around my finger.

"You ask me that a lot," I noted before using my good arm in an attempt to pull me on top of Helen.

"Your going to hurt yourself," Gar'han said from behind me as I felt his hands assisting me up the horse.

I slapped his hands away. "I've got this." I said between teeth that were clenched from concentration. After much struggling, I made it onto the direhorse's back with Ray's Avatar slumped behind me.

I deliberated for a moment.

It was likely that he would fall off during the rough ride without something to tie him down. It was probably best that he was in front of me so that I could hold him.

"Gar'han, can you help me?" I asked as I struggled to pull the Avatar in front of me while the direhorse shuffled beneath me. I glanced up at Gar'han who looked severely annoyed. "Or you can ride with him on your horse.."

His eyes flashed to Ray's Avatar with disgust and I knew I'd won.

As Gar'han hauled the Avatar out from behind me and in front of me he mumbled under his breath something that sounded like, "Way more trouble then it's worth." Finally after I was situated with the body in front of me I turned to Gar'han with a sweet smile.

"Thank you,"

He shook his head still clearly irritated, with a frown tugging at his lips.

The same lips I'd kissed less then an hour before.

"Even if you manage to haul this thing all the way back home, what do you think the Tali will say?" He asked, pointing out a flaw in my ill thought out plan.

I thought about that for a second. What exactly would Tali's reaction be? Ray's Avatar was distinctly different from the Na'vi. And if that didn't give him away, his speaking would. Ray's Na'vi was worse then Gar'han's English. Tali would know that something about Ray was distinctively human. And Tali, along with most of the other Na'vi resented the humans.

I chewed my lip.

Well leaving Ray here, was out of the question so I had no choice but to bring him. It was completely too dangerous out here to leave him alone by himself. I guessed that I could only hope that Tali would be gracious to Ray.

I shrugged at Gar'han. "She has to let him stay. If she makes him leave then I'm leaving too. And I'm pretty sure, Tali wants me to stay. After all, I am her daughter and she has to trust me.." I last part drifting through my head. It felt strange saying it out loud. "I'm her daughter." I repeated, testing it out on my tongue. I liked the feeling of it.

"This isn't a good idea," Gar'han muttered.

I looked back at Gar'han and smiled, ignoring the comment. "Lets go."

After climbing onto his own horse, he called back, "Don't strain yourself," Then took off through the forest without glancing back.

"Now you decide to wake up!" I grouched as the Avatar body that had been laying draped across the direhorses back, began to twitch.

Gar'han and I were taking one of our numerous breaks (Gar'han had insisted we take more breaks because I was "Injured") while giving the direhorses a chance to rest and eat.

With a heavy grunt Ray toplled to the ground.

I snorted.

Ray popped his head up from the ground. "Technically I wasn't asleep. Right now I'm asleep." He pointed out before climbing to his feet and stretching. As if suddenly noticing that his surroundings had changed, his eyes snapped up to the sky. "The Hallelujah Mountains are gone," he murmured. His head snapped back to me. "Where are we?"

I shrugged. "I don't know where exactly but were are going back the Horse Clan and we've been traveling for a few hours now."

"The Horse Clan?" Ray blinked.

Hmm, where to begin? "Ray, I have so much to tell you." I said, meaning it. It was unbelievable how much had happened in the span of a few weeks.

He grinned slowly knowing he was in for a good story. "Start from the beginning."

"No! First tell me what just happened to you. You completely fainted!"

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, I didn't faint. Little girls faint. I passed out," He clarified before answering my question. "There was a glitch in the system. Took a few hours before they could get it back to working."

"Did you talk to Helen?"

"Yes, and she's beyond elated. And she has so many questions. She thought you were dead Jess. We all did. Hell, I can't even believe you survived that fall!" He exclaimed, amazement written across his face.

"Neither can I. I have so much to tell you!" I repeated.

As Gar'han rose beside me, I knew it was time to start traveling again.

I rose from my sitting position also and stretched. "We need to start traveling again. We don't want to be caught out here when night falls." I murmured absently to Ray, as I climbed onto Helen and attached my braid.

"Whoa Jess! When did that happen?" Ray exclaimed motioning to the large direhorse beneath me.

I grinned, knowing I had impressed him. "Like I said, I have a lot to tell you." I offered my good hand to him to help him up the horse. Ignoring my hand he climbed onto the back with ease.

"Ready?" I asked Ray as he securely wrapped an arm around my waist. I felt him nod and switched my eyes to Gar'han. He was the leader.

He sat stiffly ontop his horse, giving Ray a look that even made me shiver.

I sighed and spoke Na'vi to Gar'han, "He's not like the rest of them." I said, trying to ease his hate for humans. I wasn't exactly sure what I meant by the statement.

The glare in his eyes didn't leave, instead he took off into the force.

"I don't think he likes me." Ray noted casually.

The only person who wouldn't have pissed their pants from Gar'han terrifying glare would be Ray. He was just calm like that.

"I know he doesnt." I laughed before tearing after Gar'han, through Pandora's forest.

When we finally reached Home Hill the sun had just fallen.

During the ride I'd done my best to explain the events of the past few weeks since we'd been separated. I explained how I'd gone after my gun, fallen from the waterfall and woke up in Home Tree. Then how Almah had instructed Gar'han to take me to the Horse Clan to meet my alleged mother. I told him about Tali, Fara, and Ja'ki. I told him about my bow and arrow lessons and my direhorse lessons. And I even told him about my experience with Yukah.

I could see wonder in his eyes behind every word I said.

The only I didn't tell him about was the discovery I'd made at the Tree of Souls.

I wasn't worried that he would think different of me in the least. Or that he would tell everyone back on base about it. I knew he wouldn't. I just wasn't sure how to tell him.

"Jessy!" Fara's voice screeched in the distance. I looked up to see Fara on her direhorse sprinting towards us with two other Na'vi women on their direhorse's behind her.

I slipped down the horse to land on my feet as Gar'han did the same. "Fara," I greeted.

She slid down her horse also, the moon glowing in her eyes, making them look impossibly wider. "Where have you been? You disappeared out of nowhere.." Her eyes flickered strangely to Gar'han. "..both of you." She took my hand in hers. "Jessy, Tali was worried for you."

"Yes, I know Fara but there's something-"

I stopped when her attention was taken away from me and to the rustling behind me. I glanced behind me to see Ray climbing down the horse then looked back to Fara. Her eyes traveled over him and immediately the same look I'd seen in Gar'han's eyes went into hers.

I wasn't sure if she'd noticed the human clothes he wore, his five fingers, his slightly smaller eyes, or his eyebrows but she could see he wasn't normal.

Her eyes snapped to mine. "Who is poan?"

"I need to speak to Tali." I said ignoring the question.

For a moment here eyes danced between me, Ray and Gar'han before she nodded her head slowly and I could see she trusted my judgement.

"She is inside."

I glanced behind her to see the women and their dirheorses with distrust in their eyes. Well I guess not everyone trusted my judgement.

"Irayo, Fara."

Fara led us into Home Hill while the other Na'vi around us watched us curiously. Ray remained completely passive and silent behind and I was curious to know what he was thinking. Gar'han however had left me as soon as we entered Home Hill. I supposed he was upset with my decision to trust a human.

We found Tali in the nursery. Around us, small Na'vi children giggled and played, completely oblivious to Ray, Fara, and me. A few other women Na'vi, probably mothers, watched and played with younger Na'vi. Tali sat on a net with a toddler bouncing happily on her lap as she combed her hands through the child's hair.

As I watchced her interact with the toddler in such a motherly way, I wondered if she had ever combed her hands through my hair when I was an infant.

"She looks just like you, Jess!" I heard Ray whisper behind me.

Her eyes widened when she saw me and she carefully placed the child on the ground to play with the others. "Jessy! Where have you been?" She looked to Ray and she repeated Fara words. "Who is he?"

I opened my mouth not sure what I was going to say but then closed it. The loud screaming and laughing from the children was distracting. "Do you think we could speak somewhere else?" I asked glancing around us.

I felt a sticky small hand touch my leg and I looked down to see a small child with a mohawk grinning up at me. "Your tall!" He squealed. I tried my best not to cringe when I noticed drool on his chin.

"Of course," She said carefully, still eyeing Ray curiously.

She led me out of the loud room and into an empty tunnel then stopped to face Ray and I. Fara had stayed in the nursery.

"What's this about?" she asked. Her eyes finally switching off of Ray and to me.

"Tali, this is Ray. He's um a friend of mine." She nodded slowly. "He's not...one of The People. He's.." I hesitated wary of her reaction." a human."

I heard a small gasp from her. "How?"

"Well, he's..he's like a Dream Walker." I said, using Gar'han's words. "This," I lifted up one of Ray's hands. "is just a body the human created. Somewhere far away a human is controlling it."

"Ahh!" she gasped jerking back in disgust. "Jessy, he cannot stay here!" She glared at Ray. "He is unwelcome. He is one of the Tawtute!"

"Hey!" I exclaimed, stepping in front of Ray defensively, who had remained silent and calm. "He is not a demon! He's my friend and he wont hurt any body."

"He can not stay here." She repeated, glaring at Ray.

I jutted out my chin. "He leaves, I leave." I said, my tone hardening.

Her eyes softened as they went to me. "Jessy, don't."

I shook my head stubbornly. "He's like family."

She flinched slightly at the word family. I couldn' blame her. It sounded as though I was choosing a human over my own mother. For a long moment she stared at me, hurt, then finally gave a resigned sigh.

"I will not lose you again." Her eyes flickered back to Ray. "You can stay."

He tipped his head respectfully, "Irayo."(Thank you) I cringed at Ray's terrible accent. So did Tali.

I quickly tried to avert Tali's attention from Ray's terrible Na'vi. "I think I'm going to go bathe." Now that I thought about it, I hadn't taken a bath in almost two days..eww.

"You still haven't told me where you've been." Tali stated to me patiently waiting for an answer.

Was I supposed to answer Well I went to the tree of souls and found out your my mother after all! Go figure! I just wasn't ready to have that conversation yet.

So I lied. "Gar'han took me hunting." The words sounded false, even to me.

She blinked at me.

"I learned a lot." I added.

I wasn't sure if she had bought it or not because her face changed into something unreadable. "Oh..well I suppose you do need to go bathe," she murmured then she straightened. "I'll show your..friend to the dining hall. Come join us when you have washed. I'm sure you are starved."

I nodded quickly, happy she was being so hospitable to Ray. I gave Ray one fleeting glance as she led him in the direction of the dining hall. Then I went on my way to the hot springs.

After I'd scrubbed every inch of dirt off my body and hair I pulled on a clean loin cloth with leggings and a chest garment woven from Pandoran flora and went to join the other Na'vi in the dining hall. My growling stomach insisted.

As I approached the hall, the louder then usual singing and music indicated that tonight, dinner would be rowdy. When I entered the large hall, I took notice of how energetic all the Na'vi were being tonight. Many were standing and dancing instead of sitting in circles.

I spotted Ray sitting amongts a large group of Na'vi, which included Fara and Ja'ki. It seemed, by the way Ray captured everyones attention, that he was telling the group a story. I smiled and shook my head. This what I meant when I said Ray was charismatic.

I glanced around, my eyes unintentionally searching for Gar'han. He was absent. Where was he?

"Hey Jess!" Ray called in English, waving me over. I smiled and made my way over to Ray, deciding I'd worry about Gar'han later. "I need you translate for me. I have a feeling I'm butchering every word I say." He said grinning, as I plopped down next to him. I felt someone placing a bowl of warm food onto my lap. I looked up to smile thankfully at Fara.

"You are," I said, turning my attention back to Ray as I began to eat. "Food first. Translating later." I said between a mouth full of meat.

Later that night after things had settled down I led Ray to the Na'vi's sleeping quarters.

"You sure a getting along well with The People." I noted.

He shrugged as we entered to large room of sleeping Na'vi, dropping his voice to a whisper. "I'm a people person." He sure was. It had once been one of the reasons why I'd envied him. But that seemed to be in the past now.

I motioned him to follow me as I leaped onto a column and used my uninjured arm to climb up higher until I reached an empty woven sleeping net. I glanced behind me to make sure Ray was still there. He was right behind me. Pushing myself off the wall, I fell easily into the net without waking the others. I waved Ray to jump. He was still clinging to the wall, looking down below him uncertainly.

"Jump," I called in a whisper. "Chicken."

His head snapped up to me, accepting the bait. Without any more hesitation he bound off the wall and in the direction of my net. He barely made it and ended up tilting the entire net to the side as he struggled to climb in.

The net made a loud squeaky noise.

I did my best to muffle my laugh behind my hands.

"Shut up," Ray whispered trying to sound mad but I could tell he was laughing too.

Once I finally caught my breath I whispered, "Your not sleeping in here with me."

"Then you better find a new bed." He whispered back then turned on his back feigning sleep.

I rolled my eyes sitting up. It was probably best that I was the one to move. He would only make more noise. Luckily the net above me was empty.

"It's not a bed, it's a net," I corrected before climbing up into the net above us. Once settled in I rested my head in my hand to look down at Ray. What were the odds of him finding me? He blinked up at me.

"Stop staring at me. It's creepy." He murmured sounding tired then began to close his eyes.

"Wait!" His eyes snapped open. "Don't go yet...can you give Helen a message for me?"

He nodded sleepily.

"Tell her...I love her and I miss her. And I'm okay." I said.

He yawned. "Sure thing kid." And with that he fell asleep.

I blinked waiting for the chagrin to come.

It usually came after her called me kid. Before, I'd always hated his little pet names he gave me like buddy, or champ. It had hurt to know how he would never think of me the way I thought of him.

It didn't come.

I was thankful for that. I turned on my side and lay my head down to sleep.

"Rise and shine my tsmuke," Fara's greeted, jolting me awake.

"Wuh!" I mumbled, startled from the sudden movement in my sleeping net. "Go away. I'm tired."

"Kae, you've already slept in late enough" she declared while tugging my arm away from over my eyes.

"No I haven't," I grumbled, pulling my arm back over my eyes.

"Yes you have, now get up." she repeated.

"Ugh," she was so persistent. "Fine I'm up." I said loudly sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

"Shh, you'll wake your friend," she whispered, pointing down below us at Ray.

Oh! It felt as if finding Ray had just been a dream. But there he was below, proof that it had been real.

She smiled triumphantly and climbed out of my net. After stretching I followed her out of the sleeping quarters giving one last glance back at Ray.

After bathing and eating a large amount of food for breakfast, Fara and I emerged from Home Hill and into the blinding sunlight of Pandora.

"Where is everybody?" I asked, looking around as I shielded my eyes from the sun. The area that was usually occupied by busy Na'vi was relatively vacant with an exception of a few Na'vi.

"It's fishing day again."

"Oh."

After filling our flasks with water, we set out for the water hole. Since the water hole that they usual fished from wasn't to far away Fara and I walked on foot.

For a few minutes it was completely silent between Fara and I, exept for the usual animal sounds coming from Pandora's forest. Unusually quiet. Fara was naturally a chatter box which meant she had something to say or ask but she was holding it back.

"Where have you been for the past few days?" she finaly asked with false casualness.

I shrugged. "Hunting." I said, using the same lie had given Tali.

"I didn't see you bring any animals back."

"That's because I'm a terrible hunter."

She was quiet for a second as we walked before her words came out in a rush. "I'm sorry, I know it's really none of my business. It's just that you disapeared with Gar'han and.." she trailed off.

"And what?" I asked trying to be patient but really wishing she would get to the point.

"Nothing," she siad quickly, looking away. A dark tint of color filled her cheeks. Was she blushing?

"Just say it Fara." I said, my curiosity peeking.

"Do you plan to tsaheylu with Ja'ki?" she asked in a rush.

The thought made my nose wrinkle. Mating with Ja'ki. "Eww. No."

Fara let out a shrill laughter startling me. After her laughter finally calmed she said, "It would make Tali happy if you did."

I shrugged again. "It sure wouldn't make me happy," I muttered.

I glanced up her to see she had a small smile on her face as her eyes gazed off distantly. "Yes, you should do what makes you happy," she murmured. Then looking down at me she asked, "Then who do you intend to become lifemates with? Gar'han?" She didn't seem as intensely curious this time.

"No, I don't plan to have a lifemate anytime soon," I answered honestly and more then a little jumpy at the sound of Gar'han and life mate in the same sentence.

She nodded, accepting my answer. "Did I tell you about the one time my mom tried to pare me with Diyeteh? You know him right? He's the one with really large ears. Any ways.." And things went back to normal. She was back to telling elaborate stories and I was back to listening to them. I was just relieved that she hadn't questioned me further on my relationship with Gar'han. Lord knows, that was a difficult topic.

Soon the sounds of splashing and laughter reached my ears and I knew we were close to the water hole. When we emerged into the clearing, I realised the word "water hole" didn't exactly do it justice. It was more like a large water oasis type thing. Many Na'vi were throwing nets into the water or pulling nets full of flapping fish like creatures out. Others were skinning fish or hanging them. Some children Na'vi played in the more shallow end of the water form while their mothers kept an eye on them.

"Takah, don't go too far," One of the mothers called to a young child swimming a bit to far.

"Are we going to fish?" I asked looking back at Fara.

"If you want." she said as we stepped closer to the large water hole I peered into the water below. The crystal clear water allowed me to see the fish swimming frantically in the bottom. They weren't exactly fish, at least not the type that earth had but they had features that made them..fishy.

Definitely not water I would swim in.

Just as that the thought went through my mind, a familiar pair of small sticky hands pressed against the back of my legs causing me to loose my balance and sending falling towards the water as a shrill yelp left my mouth. Within in seconds I was submerged under the water.

I emerged coughing. The hysterical giggles of a child filled my ears. I blinked the water out of my eyes to see the same small child with a mohawk standing at the edge in a fit of laughter. Behind him Fara stood with a hand clapped over her mouth muffling her laughter. Ja'ki stood equally amused next her, hunched over with laughter.

"Going for a swim Jessy?" Ja'ki asked, as he walked to the edge to pear down at me.

I glared crossly at him as I paddled to the edge. "Yep, just needed to cool off. Help me out?" I asked raising my hand innocently for assistance.

He ignorantly held out a hand for me. Taking him off guard I clasped his hand and, with as much force as I could muster, tugged him into the water with me. He landed into the water with a large splash. Now it was my turn to laugh, as I climbed out of the water.

Sticky Fingers (I'd decided that I would call him that) continued erupt in laughter along with Fara. Fara and I locked eyes and her laughter immediately ceased. It was game on. As she side stepped to the left, I quickly followed. Trying to throw me off, she fake-lunged to the right then sprinted into the other direction. But I had seen the move coming an quickly caught up with her by leaping onto her back and bringing us both down into the water with a resounding splash. We both erupted in laughter when we surfaced.

"Hey! Knock it off, you are scaring them away!" One party-pooper Na'vi called as he cast his net into the water. I think his name was Diyeteh. I rolled my eyes at him, as I swam (with one arm) to the shore where Ja'ki was drying off. That cast was starting to get annoying. As I climbed onto the dry land I began to unraveled the cast from my arm.

"I'm not so sure you should be taking that off so soon." Fara said, as she also climbed out of the water, wringing out here hair.

I shrugged. I wasn't sure either but I was tired of the thing getting in my way. When the final remnants of the cast were peeled off, I winced at the ugliness of my arm.

"That's one nasty bruise," Fara said, looking at my arm with a grimace. I study my arm with an equal chagrin. The majority of my arm was just was one huge black and blue bruise. There were a few cuts and scrapes but it was clear that the horse had trampled it pretty hard.

"Ahh, Jess, I'm realy sorry about that." Ja'ki siad with remorse written in his voice. I looked up at his face to see guilt etched on it. "It was stupid of me to race to you on your first day.."

I didn't want Ja'ki to feel guilty about it, it wasn't even his fault. "Pfft! It doesn't even hurt, in fact I think it makes me look tougher." I grinned.

Ja'ki chuckled at my attempt and ruffled my hair like I was a dog or something, "Not a chance kid."

"Gar'han, Gar'han!" The small child with the mohawk called in delight. My head immediately snapped up at his name. My eyes followed the child's excited gaze to see Gar'han striding to a group as he carried a large bundle of vines over his back. Well, I hadn't seen him around in a while. The child took off towards Gar'han.

"Looks like Heja found a new best friend," Fara said, smiling, as she placed her hands on her hips. I believed that 'Sticky Fingers' suited the child better. "He's my cousin. Well I suppose my second cousin because he is my cousin's son." Fara added as we both watched the child happily greet Gar'han with a hug. It was actually kind of cute.

"Do you like children?" Fara asked, her eyes switching back to me.

What a question. Growing up, I had never been exposed to children. The youngest person I knew was Ray and he was older then me. Yet when I thought of children, and image of an unruly, sticky fingered, snotty child appeared in my mind. I don't think a add a single maternal bone in my body.

Fara laughed, snapping me out of my thoughts. "You don't have to answer that. Your face says it all."

I smiled. "Children are...okay." From a distance. From the distance I was standing, Heja actually looked kind of cute as he helped Gar'han unload the vines from his back. Like, I said, from a distance.

"What do you mean, does she like children, Fara? She is one." Ja'ki laughed.

I rolled my eyes and slapped his arm. "I'll have you both know that I will be turning eighteen very soon!" I stated proudly. In America,on Earth, that would make me a legal adult.

Both Ja'ki and Fara's smiled faltered slightly. I looked at Fara questioningly but she quickly re-implaced her smile and looped her arm through mine and led me to a group female Na'vi weaving fishing nets. I recieved several greetings from around the group as Fara and I took a seat.

Reaching into a basket that sat at the center of the group of women, Fara pulled out a few long vines, the same ones Gar'han had been carrying. Then she passed one to me. As Fara began twisting the vine into some kind of braid, I stared blankly at the one in my hands. Was I supposed to be weaving this?

"Fara! Look at all the vines I carried!" Sticky Fingers exclaimed as he proudly marched up to us with a few vines thrown over his small shoulder. Right behind him was Gar'han..who was avoiding my eyes. Grudge much?

"Wow! Heja, you are so strong! One day you'll be as strong as Gar'han!" Fara praised him, as she took the vines from his hands and placed them in the large basket.

"I already am!" He exclaimed, as Gar'han added his load to the basket.

"We are going to need a lot more vines, Gar'han. At the pace we're going, you will never be able to catch up," One of the elderly women that sat at the group said playfully.

He nodded. "No problem."

Seizing the opportunity, I rose to my feet. "I can help. I mean, I don't really know how to weave anyways."

Gar'han began to object but he was quickly cut off by the elderly Na'vi woman.

"That's a great idea! It will be much faster that way." She grinned as her bony fingers deftly wove the vines in her hands.

"Ok," Gar'han muttered resignedly as he passed me a knife then stalked away towards the canopy of the trees. I quickly followed. Well he didn't have to act as though I was twisting his arm. It wasn't until now that I considered the possibility that he had been avoiding me. Was he avoiding me because he was still pissed at me or because he just tired of my company in general?

"Where are we going?" I asked as we departed from the sound of laughter and splashing and was greeted by the sounds of the forest.

"We are going to harvest vines." He said over his shoulder as I struggled to keep up with his long strides. I frowned. His voice sounded so stiff and business like. But then again, isn't that how it usually sounded? No, I think it was colder now.

"Oh," I mumbled.

He came to a sudden stop, almost causing me to run into him. He quickly placed the knife in between his teeth then climbed onto the tall tree standing closest to our side. I winced at the thought of him cutting his tongue with that knife in his mouth. As he disappeared into the trees above, I briefly wondered if I was supposed to follow. Nah.

"Watch you head," Gar'han's voice called from the top of the trees moments before a few vines came falling to the ground. Soon after a few more fell then it was quiet again.

For a few moments I waited patiently tapping my foot. I blinked up at the trees above. I didn't see him. "Gar'han?" I called just before he landed on his feet behind me with a loud thud, causing me to jump. Ignoring me, he walked past me to grab the vines he'd cut down and began to fold them so that they weren't so long.

"Here, carry these," he said still avoiding my gaze, as he passed me the bundle and I tucked it under my good arm. "Where is your cast?" he asked as he climbed onto another tree.

Oh, he'd noticed that. "I took it off. Didn't need it anymore." I answered as I placed my bundle on the ground. He didn't answer, which was good because I didn't feel like arguing.

We continued like this for about another half hour, both of us completely silent except when communication was necessary. To be honest, it was kind of boring.

I studied my nails noticing that my nail polish had long since deteriorated to nothing. "So.." I started, tired of the boring silence. Another vine whipped to the ground beside me. Then without warning Gar'han dropped to the ground, landing to on his feet. I glanced up at the trees above, which he had came from. That was a pretty long drop.

"So, what?" Gar'han asked, not sounding too interested, as he gathered the vines on the ground and began to fold them.

I quickly picked something off the top of my head, to fill the silence. "I haven't told Tali yet." I said as I took the bundle from his hands and followed him.

"Why not?" he asked, sounding slightly more interested.

I shrugged. "I'm not really sure how," I muttered.

"Your going to have to tell her eventually." He pointed out as he began to ascend yet another tree.

He was right. But I wasn't quite ready for that conversation with Tali. "I will, I just need some time to get used to the idea myself."

After several more vines drooped to the ground, Gar'han landed after them. "I think that's enough," He said, taking the vines in his hands and pulling the knife out of his mouth. He knelt to the ground and pulled one the vines out of the bundle.

"Do as I do," He instructed as he began to expertly cut the vine. "Cut the them at the folds."

I nodded and seated myself across from him as I unsheathed the knife he'd given me. I pulled one of the vines from the large bundle and located the first fold. I ran the knife over the fold but barely made a dent. Then I attempted to use the knife like a saw but failed in cutting the vine. I glanced at Gar'han and scowled. He already had an entire pile of freshly sliced vines next to him.

"Having trouble?" Gar'han asked.

I grudgingly nodded.

"Here hold it like this," He said, moving my hand so that the vine was pulled tight. "And slightly twist it."

I followed his instructions, trying desperately to ignore the heat of his hand on mine, and twisted the tight vine.

"Now you should be able to cut it easily," He said. I was a bit jumpy because his closeness and clumsily sliced at the vine, forgetting his hand was still in the way.

But by time I realised this it was too late and he reflexively jerked his hand away.

"Oh! Gar'han! I'm so sorry!" I yelped my hands flying to my face as I dropped the knife to the ground.

"No, it's fine." He quickly assured me, keeping the hand I'd cut out of my view.

"Let me see." I said reaching for the hand, as he kept it just out of my reach and my view.

"It's fine." He repeated, growing annoyed now.

"Then if it's fine, let me see it," I challenged.

"Kahe," he snapped, now obviously annoyed.

I pursed my lips then rolled my eyes in an act of resignation. "Ok, fine." I said, waiting for him to drop his guard. Picking up the vine again I pretended to resume my cutting. Just as Gar'han dropped his guard and relaxed, I lurched toward him and grabbed the hand before he had a chance to fight me off.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I winced, looking at the pooling blood. The cut wasn't to deep. Not enough to damage, but still it looked painful. "I'm sorry." I repeated, as if it would make the pain go away.

"Get off of me." He snapped.

"You should rinse it off. You know so it doesn't become infected." I muttered, ignoring his protest, and studying the wound deeper.

"It's fine," he repeated. But I was already reaching to my hip, to pull out the water flask Fara had given me. After uncorking the flask, I trickled water onto the cut until the blood blended to water and it was clean.

"There, that wasn't so bad was it?" I grinned up at Gar'han and realised he was finally actually looking at me instead of avoiding my eyes. I blushed under the heat of his gaze and released his hand, embarrassed that I was still holding it. I glanced down.

I was more then shocked when his hand reclaimed mine. My eyes snapped up to his golden orbs and my breath cut at the intensity. Was he mad at me? My mind couldn't help but dance back to when my lips had touched his. His lips had been unresponsive and resistant yet incredibly soft.

Then I did something I knew I would regret later. You'd think I would have got the message the first time. But no. I had to feel those lips again.

And with that l lurched forward to push my lips onto his. Ahh! That was the feeling that I'd been wanting. My memory didn't do it justice. It was like my body temperature had risen by twenty degrees.

And of course Gar'han was rigid and resistant. And it irked me. What did he have to lose by kissing me back?

"Jessy," He whispered against my lips, as I moved mine against his. "Rutxe ftang." Please stop.

I sighed pulling back and meeting his vulnerable gaze. "I would say sorry but I'm not." I muttered, trying to ignore the feeling of rejection.

"Jessy, you understand why I can't do this right." Gar'han whispered taking my face in his large hands.

"No I don't, not at all." I admitted.

"I could give you a thousand reasons."

"Yes, you've said that before but you have yet to give me one." I muttered, my face on fire with embarrassment and rejection.

"Ok, well lets start with the fact that I've already had a mate for one lifetime," he hissed making me wince. "And if that's not enough, think about your engagement to Ja'ki."

I opened my mouth to protest but was cut short.

"Or what about your little Dream Walker friend. I've seen the way you look at him."

"Hey!"

"Or what about you age. Your not even eighteen yet! Oh, and we aren't even in the same clan!"

I stared at him patiently, as his breathing slowed. "Is that everything?"

He nodded.

"Well those aren't reasons, those are excuses." I said a matter of factually. "Don't make yourself lonely. If it's because of me, then I understand but don't isolate yourself because your afraid to be close to someone." I sad, reaching up to touch his strong jaw.

His eyes wavered, and for the briefest moment, I thought I saw his eyes flicker to my lips.

"What have you got to lose?" I mumbled. Indecision was clear in his eyes but as he focused on me I realised I had one this battle.

"Ke'u," He whispered seductively.

Suddenly his lips were on mine and I think my heart just about crashed through my chest. He was kissing me! He was the one to initiate the kiss? I greedily kissed him back, moving my lips in sync with his soft warm ones. I couldn't get enough. I boldly climbed onto his lap to straddle his narrow hips. This action received a deep groan from the back of his throat that made me shiver.

I was more then stunned when I felt his tongue against my lips, searching for access. I gladly allowed it and soon our tongues were moving with each other.

I couldn't believe that he was actually kissing me. I'd always assumed the attraction was one sided.

But then with a sinking feeling, I realized that it very possibly was, and he was only kissing me out of pity.

Just as I was about to pull away. I felt him shift, and before I knew it, I was on my back and his was covering me. The feeling was wonderful. It would have been better if I knew he wasn't doing it just to please me.

I gasped as I felt a finger skimming my side. I wanted him to keep going and I wanted him to stop all at the same time. I just wanted to know if this was real or if he was doing it just to make me feel better. One of his hands reached into my hair, entangling his fingers in my curls. My hands were busy caressing his well muscled back. I was slightly embarrassed to realize my tail had wrapped itself around his thigh.

I squirmed when I felt something hard nudging my hip bone. It sent a shock of heat down to my very center. Curiously, my hand crawled down to it and I felt Gar'han suddenly stiffen. As my hand made contact, we both immediately jerked back.

If it was even possible, my face got even redder as my mind flashed back to the brief sex-ed that Helen had taught me. My eyes flashed up to Gar'han's as I realized what I had touched.

"I'm sorry Jess, I-"

I cut him off. "I'm not." I said forcefully. I felt like a prude for jerking back the way I had. With sudden relief, I realised that he did want me and he wasn't just doing it out of guilt. The evidence was pretty clear..

His knuckles reached up to rub against his temple and he closed his eyes. He looked stressed. "You're so young." He muttered to himself. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Kahe! Ftang." I said catching the fist that was rubbing violently against his temple and brought it to my lips. "I don't regret it one bit and neither should you. Are you mad at me?"

A sound I'd never heard before left Gar'han's mouth. Was he laughing? And smiling? I adored the sound. It was so light and care free and I was proud that I was the one responsible for it.

"Jessy, I never get mad at you. Only frustrated." He said smiling as he stood to his feet, bringing me with him.

I grinned. I couldn't help it. Gar'han was actually smiling! "Then are you frustrated at me?" I asked as he placed the bundle of cut vines in my arms.

"No, not at you." And then to my amazement he leaned over to place a chaste kiss on my lips, causing my smile to stretch even farther. "Lets go." I wasn't sure if he had solve some internal argument with himself or what it meant for me, but I knew that I liked the way he was acting.

"But were aren't done yet." I pointed out the un-cut vines.

"We can let them do the rest," he said, hoisting a bundle over his shoulder.

And with that, we traveled back to the water hole. It was the same as we left it. Loud splashes and laughter. The only thing that had changed was between me and Gar'han.

"Oh, Gar'han, Jessy! You have brought back enough vines to last the rest of the season." The elder woman chuckled, as we approached to group of weaving women. I placed my load into the large basket then took a seat in the group. After Gar'han tossed his bundle in, he sat next to me, a bit too close to be considered casual but I doubt anyone noticed. Or at least I thought so until I glanced up to see Fara staring at us but she quickly dropped her gaze.

I glanced up at Gar'han to see if he had noticed but he was already reaching into the basket to pull out a vine. I did the same and slightly blushed when are hands brushed. I wondered if Fara saw. I twiddled with the vine in my hands.

"Do you know how to weave?" Gar'han asked smiling when he noticed the messy braid I'd made.

I shook my head. "Don't have the slightest clue."

As Gar'han leaned in to guide me through it. I could constantly feel Fara's eyes on us. I could feel her eyes drop to Gar'han's hand's every time he touched me to correct me. It was unnerving. Every now then I would glance up to her, but she would quickly look away.

Within ten minutes, I was successfully weaving.

"You're a fast leaner," Gar'han noted.

"You're a good teacher...although I have to admit, it's a bit girly of you," I teased.

He rolled his eyes at me as his fingers moved nimbly over the vine.

"Jessy!" I looked up to see Ray approaching the small dinner group I sat at, with worry clearly written over his face. "Where have you been all day? Everyone was gone," he said with a huff as he plopped to the ground beside me. I immediately felt guilty. I didn't think to tell Ray where I was going.

It was dinner time now and everyone was relaxed and eating in the dining hall. Gar'han sat on the other side of me, silently watching Ray.

"I was at the water hole. Today's fishing day. What did you do all day?" I asked.

A mischievous grin crossed his face. "I made some friends." Across the group a few female Na'vi giggled flirtatiously. I glared. Gross.

Changing the topic I said, "Did you talk to Helen and everybody? Did you tell them my story?"

"Oh yeah!" He exclaimed tearing his eyes away from the giggling skanks and looked back me. "You wouldn't believe their reaction. Well, Helen wants you to come back home of course and so do I but everyone else has a different opinion."

I scrunched my forehead, confused.

"They want you to stay here Jessy."

"What? Why?"

"Think about it. You have the better relationship with the Na'v then we could have ever hoped. You have their trust. The best kind of diplomat."

I frowned not liking the sound of that. I glanced around the group. No one was looking at us because none of them understood English. Except Gar'han.

"But ultimately the choice is yours of course. Your not like me. You didn't sign any contracts." He muttered.

I knew what he meant. Ray, however had signed contracts, and he was bound to stay on Pandora for another 5 years until his contract ran out.

"What do you mean the choice is mine?"

"I mean that you get to chose whether or not you go back." He explained.

My eyes widened. So what was my choice? I knew that I needed to go back. I needed to find answers. But I wouldn't stay. I would return to Tali and the Horse Clan with those solved questions.

"Well, what are you going to do?" He asked patiently. Suddenly I was very aware of Gar'han's eyes on me.

I glanced up at Ray. Now would have been a good time to tell him about my trip to the Tree of Souls. But not here. Not in this crowded hall.

"Ray, there is still more that I need to tell you... because if it, I have to go back," I said quietly.

Ray grinned, his dimples more prominent then ever. "Helen will be happy," he said at the same time Gar'han rose to leave. I sighed watching his retreating form disappear into the crowd.

"Well what is it you have to tell me?" He asked.

My eyes refocused on Ray's.

"Let's go somewhere quiet where we can talk."

Thanks for reading!